Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Chronicles 6:47
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
Gershom was the name of several Israelites, including the son of Moses and Zipporah, who played important roles in the Bible. The name means 'foreigner' and is mentioned in books like Exodus and Ezra.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.8.2 § Gershom = "foreigner" 1) firstborn son of Moses and Zipporah 2) firstborn son of Levi 3) a son of the priestly family of Phinehas who returned from exile with Ezra
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: Gershom. See also: Exodus 2:22; 1 Chronicles 6:47; Ezra 8:2.
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
Issachar means 'there is recompense' and refers to the 9th son of Jacob and the tribe that descended from him. He was the 5th son of Leah, Jacob's first wife. The tribe of Issachar is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and other books.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.26.5; son of: Obed-edom (H5654); brother of: Shemaiah (H8098I), Jehozabad (H3075H), Joah (H3098I), Sachar (H7940), Nethanel (H5417K), Ammiel (H5988I) and Peullethai (H6469) § Issachar = "there is recompense" 1) the 9th son of Jacob and the 5th by Leah his first wife and the progenitor of a tribe by his name 2) a Korahite Levite and the 7th son of Obed-edom and doorkeeper to the temple 3) the tribe descended from Issachar the son of Jacob 4) the territory allocated to the descendants of Issachar when they entered the land of Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: Issachar. See also: Genesis 30:18; Joshua 19:23; Ezekiel 48:33.
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
Asher was the eighth son of Jacob and one of the twelve tribes of Israel, mentioned in Genesis 30:13. The tribe of Asher was known for its happy and blessed people. Asher is also the name of a region in Palestine.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Asher living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.13; son of: Israel (H3478) and Zilpah (H2153); brother of: Gad (H1410); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Imnah (H3232), Ishvah (H3438), Ishvi (H3440), Beriah (H1283) and Serah (H8294); also translated "pine" or "cypress wood" at Ezk.27.6(?); Ashurite at 2Sa.2.9(?); § Asher = "happy" 1) son of Jacob and Zilpah 2) the tribe descended from Asher 3) a city east of Shechem in Manasseh
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: Asher See also: Genesis 30:13; Joshua 17:11; Ezekiel 48:34.
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
Naphtali was a son of Jacob and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was born to Bilhah, Rachel's servant, and is first mentioned in Genesis 30:8. Naphtali's descendants lived in the region of Galilee.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Naphtali living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.30.8; son of: Israel (H3478) and Bilhah (H1090A); brother of: Dan (H1835H); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); father of: Jahzeel (H3183), Guni (H1476), Jezer (H3337) and Shillem (H8006) Also named: Nephthaleim (Νεφθαλείμ "Naphtali" G3508) § Naphtali = "wrestling" 1) the 5th son of Jacob and the 2nd by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel 2) the tribe descended from Naphtali the son of Jacob 3) the territory assigned to the tribe of Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: Naphtali. See also: Genesis 30:8; Judges 1:33; Psalms 68:28.
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
Manasseh was a grandson of Jacob and the ancestor of a large tribe in the Bible, mentioned in Genesis 41:51 and throughout the book of Numbers.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.10; son of: Amram (H6019) and Jochebed (H3115); brother of: Aaron (H0175) and Miriam (H4813); married to Zipporah (H6855); father of: Gershom (H1647) and Eliezer (H0461H); also called Manasseh at Jdg.18.30(?) Another name of mo.sheh (מֹשֶׁה "Moses" H4872) § Manasseh = "causing to forget" 1) the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh 1a) the tribe descended from Manasseh 1b) the territory occupied by the tribe of Manasseh 2) son of king Hezekiah of Judah and himself king of Judah; he was the immediate and direct cause for the exile 3) a descendant of Pahath-moab who put away a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 4) a descendant of Hashum who put away a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: Manasseh. See also: Genesis 41:51; Joshua 22:21; Psalms 60:9.
Bashan was a fertile region east of the Jordan River, given to the half-tribe of Manasseh. It was known for its fruitfulness and is mentioned in the Bible as a significant area.
Definition: § Bashan = "fruitful" a district east of the Jordan known for its fertility which was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: Bashan. See also: Numbers 21:33; Joshua 21:27; Psalms 22:13.
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
Context — The Temple Musicians
45the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,
46the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer,
47the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.
48Their fellow Levites were assigned to every kind of service of the tabernacle, the house of God.
49But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the Most Holy Place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) |
| 1 |
Joshua 21:7 |
And the descendants of Merari received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. |
| 2 |
Exodus 6:19 |
The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites according to their records. |
| 3 |
1 Chronicles 23:21 |
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. |
| 4 |
1 Chronicles 23:28 |
but their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, being responsible for the courts and chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God, |
| 5 |
Joshua 21:34–40 |
This is what the Merarite clan (the rest of the Levites) were given: From the tribe of Zebulun they were given Jokneam, Kartah, Dimnah, and Nahalal—four cities, together with their pasturelands. From the tribe of Reuben they were given Bezer, Jahaz, Kedemoth, and Mephaath—four cities, together with their pasturelands. And from the tribe of Gad they were given Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim, Heshbon, and Jazer—four cities in all, together with their pasturelands. In all, twelve cities were allotted to the clans of Merari, the remaining Levite clans. |
| 6 |
Numbers 3:20 |
And the sons of Merari by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites, according to their families. |
| 7 |
Numbers 4:42 |
And the Merarites were numbered by their clans and families, |
| 8 |
Numbers 7:8 |
and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen, as their service required, all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. |
| 9 |
Numbers 10:17 |
Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it. |
| 10 |
Numbers 3:33–36 |
From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. The number of all the males a month old or more was 6,200. The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. The duties assigned to the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items, |
1 Chronicles 6:47 Summary
This verse is part of a list of names that might seem confusing, but it's actually a beautiful picture of how God works through families and generations to accomplish his plans, as seen in Psalm 78:4. The Levites, like the one mentioned in this verse, were special helpers who assisted the priests in the tabernacle, and their service points to the ultimate high priest, Jesus Christ, who offers the perfect sacrifice for our sins, as seen in Hebrews 10:10-14. By studying this verse, we can learn more about God's heart for his people and his desire for us to serve him with our lives, as seen in 1 Peter 2:9. We can also be encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and plan for our own lives, just as the Levites trusted in his provision and guidance, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the genealogy in 1 Chronicles 6:47?
The genealogy in 1 Chronicles 6:47 is significant because it establishes the lineage of the Levites, who were responsible for the service of the tabernacle, as seen in Exodus 32:26 and Numbers 3:6-10. This verse specifically traces the family line of a particular Levite back to Levi, the son of Jacob, as recorded in Genesis 29:34.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is part of a larger list of Levites and their descendants, which helps to organize the various families and their responsibilities in the service of the tabernacle, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6:48. It also highlights the importance of the Levites in the worship and service of God, as seen in Deuteronomy 10:8-9.
What can we learn from the names mentioned in this verse?
The names mentioned in this verse, such as Mahli, Mushi, and Merari, are significant because they represent real individuals who played a role in the history of God's people, as seen in other passages like Numbers 3:20-37 and 1 Chronicles 23:21-23. Their inclusion in the genealogy emphasizes the importance of family and heritage in the biblical narrative, as seen in Psalm 100:3.
How does this verse point to Jesus Christ?
While this verse does not directly mention Jesus Christ, it contributes to the larger narrative of God's redemption plan, which ultimately points to Jesus as the perfect high priest and mediator between God and humanity, as seen in Hebrews 7:11-28 and 8:1-6. The Levites and their service in the tabernacle foreshadow the ministry of Jesus Christ, who offers the perfect sacrifice and intercedes on our behalf, as seen in Romans 8:34.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of family and heritage in my own life, and how can I apply this to my relationships with others?
- How does the service of the Levites in the tabernacle relate to my own role in serving God and others, and what can I learn from their example?
- What does the genealogy in this verse reveal about God's sovereignty and plan for his people, and how can I trust in his goodness and provision for my own life?
- In what ways can I, like the Levites, offer my life and service to God as a form of worship and sacrifice, as seen in Romans 12:1-2?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Chronicles 6:47
[See comments on 1 Chronicles 6:44].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Chronicles 6:47
The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi. The son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 6:47
(44-47) The pedigree of Ethan the Merarite, traced back through twelve names to Levi. Ethan is no doubt the same as Jeduthun, 1 Chronicles 25:1; 2 Chronicles 35:15. (44) And their brethren the sons of Merari.—We should say their comrades or kinsmen (see Note on 1 Chronicles 6:39). “Brethren,” or “brothers,” is the natural style for the members of a guild, whether religious like the monastic bodies, or commercial like the city companies of London, or benevolent like the Freemasons. The plural pronoun refers to the two preceding guilds of Heman and Asaph. The Ethanites stood on the left of the Hemanites in the sanctuary, as the Asaphites stood on their right, and this arrangement was hereditary. Kishi is a contraction of Kushaiah, like Zabdi of Zebadiah. (47) Son of Manli, the son of Mushi.—In 1 Chronicles 6:19 Mahli and Mushi appear as two sons of Merari; so also at Lev. 3:20. Mahli son of Mushi here must be nephew of the Mahli of those two passages, if the genealogical form is in each case to be understood literally. It is difficult on a first inspection to perceive any connection between the present list and that of the Merarites in 1 Chronicles 6:29-30. The series there is: Mahli, Libni, Shimei, Uzza, Shimea, Haggiah, and Asaiah.
Here we have: Mushi, Mahli, Shamer, Bani, Amzi, Hilkiah, Amaziah, Hashabiah, Malluch, Abdi, Kishi, and Ethan. Now it is quite possible that both lines spring from Mushi son of Merari. We have only to suppose that the name of Mushi has either dropped out or been omitted by design in 1 Chronicles 6:29. In that case, of course, Mahli in each line becomes identical. Next we remark that Libni in Hebrew adds but one letter (1) to Bani; and these two may be variants of the same name. The second line is again more complete than the first, as it supplies Shamer (Shemer) between Mahli and Bani-Libni. Further. Uzzi and Amzi express the same idea—that of strength—and may therefore indicate identity of person. The names Shimei and Shimeah are perhaps inadvertent duplicates of each other; which may also be the case with Amzi and Amaziah in the second series. Haggiah perhaps answers to Hilkiah.
Thus it may be right to regard this pedigree of Ethan as related to the Merarite line of 1 Chronicles 6:29-30, in the same way as those of Heman and Asaph are related to the first drafts of the Kohathite and Gershonite lines of descent, although the connection is not so evident in the present instance, owing perhaps to corruption of the text. 1 Chronicles 6:48-49 constitute the transition from the pedigrees of the three Levitical choir-masters to the line of the sons of Aaron—Eleazar, which is here repeated from Aaron to Ahimaaz. The form of the list is, however, different. Instead of “Eleazar begat Phinehas,” it runs “Phinehas his son” &c.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Chronicles 6:47
44–47 (= 29–32 according to the Heb. division). The Descent of Ethan, David’s singer, through Merari from Levi 47. Mahli, the son of Mushi] Cp. 1 Chronicles 23:23; 1 Chronicles 24:30. Mushi had a son Mahli, named after his brother; 1 Chronicles 6:19.